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Activist Roy Dodge answers questions posed by reporter

REPORTER:
Hi Roy,
Thanks so much. I really feel like this is a huge issue in the province right now and it just seems as though the Government doesn't want to listen. First could you kind of tell me your story(why you made the moose fences for NL page, etc.).

1. Do you think the Government should put in place moose fences across the island? Why or why not?

2. What strategies do you think could be put in place to make our highways safer?

3. What have you done so far to take action?

4. How does this issue affect you personally?

5. If you had the chance for a Government official to really listen to what you what would you say?

6. Do you think our highways have become safer within the past five years?

7. What are your thoughts on Ches Crosbie filing a lawsuit against the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for introducing the moose to the province and behaving with negligence in its efforts to clear brush back from edges of highways and install fencing or warning systems in trouble spots? Do you agree or disagree with the lawyers arguments?

8. Do you feel the Government is to blame for the high population and the continuous moose accidents in the province?

Thanks again, I really appreciate you doing this.

-Ashley

ROY DODGE:

Ashley, although I would like more time to address your questions, I will address the issues the best I canl.

I have been an Electronics Technician for over 30 years and had to travel over the TCH many times. I have seen many Moose on the highway and often came close to striking them. One day while listening to a report of yet another Moose-Vehicle accident, I remembered seeing wildlife fences in New Brunswick during my work there. I thought they could work here and began research on the whole issue of our Moose accidents. I was amazed to hear of 600 to 700 accidents each year resulting in numerous injuries and death. These injuries also cost taxpayers millions of dollars in health care expenses and insurance payments.

I decided to start a Facebook page to gather information and elicit public interest in the issue. The group "Moose Fences for Newfoundland Highways" has grown to over 9000 members with lots of data, and stories and pictures of terrific accidents.

Here are some points I would like to make;

1. From the very beginning S.O.P.A.C. and I have not said to fence the whole of Newfoundland highways, but rather study the Moose patterns and accident locations. The govt. could start fencing those areas identified as having large numbers of Moose or areas that have a higher number of accidents. On this point, the Govt. refuses to give us this information which was previously available.

I believe we should fence the above areas and build underpasses where the animals can cross unharmed, and entrances for hunters etc. This has been done successfully in other provinces and states in the USA.

2. Further to the suggestion above, the brush has to be cut back to 100-150ft from the road to aide in spotting animals at a greater distance, and replaced with a species that the Moose don't like. Trees, which are identified as food sources for Moose, should be planted inland to replace what they are eating. This will lessen the need for the Moose to come out of the woods to forage on roadside vegetation.

Lights should be installed at major highway intersections to increase visibility.

Moose populations should be reduced to manageable and sustainable numbers. In previous meetings the Govt. announced they have studied Moose populations and migration patterns, but in subsequent meetings said they don't have the information.

Moose have been observed, by many people, lingering along a highway for days. We have suggested that a telephone number be set up for the public to report these "nuisance" Moose. Staff could then remove the animals and transport them inland for release. The Govt. has repeatedly said they can't afford it and don't have the staff, but if an accident occurs; staff has to be dispatched to remove the animal. We have also learned that union employees already have provisions in their collective agreement for call-outs.

People and Govt. officials have tried to place most of the blame for these accidents on the drivers themselves. They say that excessive speed and inattention are the cause. Well a little science will dispute this claim. I have given reports and data to the Dept. heads that show that even going 80kmh, the stopping distance of a vehicle is well over 150ft. Most reports of collisions with Moose suggest they abruptly jump out of the woods with little or no warning.

3. I set up the Facebook group to gather info and present it to the public. There are discussion areas on my group page for various topics such as alternative suggestions and ideas of inclusion for a report to send to Govt. There is also a link to a website petition that can be signed and areas for stories and pictures of accidents. I designed a paper petition and collected over 4000 names. I added them to 6000 that S.O.P.A.C. collected and together we presented them to the Govt. during a private members day in the House of Assembly.

4. This issue affects us all. Although I have not had an accident I have had numerous close calls. I am committed to bringing the facts to the forefront so something will be done to reduce the risk of terrible accidents.

5. We have had many meetings with Govt. officials who refuse to think that they are not doing enough to mitigate the risks of Moose-vehicle accidents. They continually tell us that they are cutting brush, but that has always been a part of their highway maintenance program anyway. We want them to really get aggressive. We have given them information about other provinces' efforts but they always downplay the results.

6. Within the past few years, Moose-vehicle accidents have ballooned out of control. We have just received information from the RCMP that there has been 1320 moose vehicle collisions reported to them in the province in 2009 and 2010. This would not include accidents under Constabulary jurisdiction, or accidents which were not reported. These accidents have resulted in many injuries and several deaths. Some of these injuries are life altering with the victims crippled for life.

7. I think it's about time that someone has taken the Govt. to task for ignoring the facts about this largely preventable problem. The fact that New Brunswick, Alberta, British Colombia, Maine, Alaska, and other areas have proved these measures work to reduce the risks of accidents but our Govt. have not used them; places them liable for the injuries and damages. Much the same as; we can be held liable for hazards at our homes or work places if we don't take proven measures to reduce ricks of injuries.

8. Of course it's the Newfoundland Government's fault that the Moose population is so high. Its wildlife division monitors the numbers and issues hunting licences each year. They know how many calves are born every year and how many are taken from hunting; it isn't rocket science!

Ashley, there is a lot more to this issue but will take more time to address. I have given you some of the concerns and add that the Newfoundland Government has wasted over $1million last year trying to tell us in TV ads that our best defence against Moose-vehicle accidents is to wear our seatbelts!!! How about that! When a 1000lb+ Moose comes through our windshield, a seatbelt will save us; how preposterous a notion! Those million dollars could have paid for a study to see which areas could benefit from fencing.

I have attached copies of some data I have collected. There is also a movie you should see; "Moose, Canada's most dangerous animal" It was produced some years ago by Canadian National Geographic. I have a copy for your own use, if you want.

That's all I have time for at present. Please keep in touch if you continue with this issue. Please pass the word around about my Facebook page.

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